Where do you knit?

Disclaimer: I'm a knitter, so that's where my focus goes naturally. Feel free to replace "knit" wherever it appears with "crochet." (Photo #1 is a couple of years old -- me knitting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival (I don't have many pictures of me knitting, as evidenced by photo #2, me in costume/makeup for a student zombie film).)

It seems like a fight breaks out an any knitting forum/community every time someone asks a question about when and where it's okay (or not) to knit. Some people totally freak out at the thought of someone knitting at the movies. Others think nothing of pulling out their knitting at the symphony.

I've found that, over time, my opinion has changed in some areas; in others, it's the same as it ever was. Most of the time it depends on how formal the environment is and how the knitting might be received by people around me. For the latter, it totally depends on the people. I've heard/read horror stories about controlling spouses insisting that no knitting be done in their presence, parents who suddenly decide that knitting isn't allowed on Sundays, and people who are humiliated because their friend is knitting at a bar. That's not what I'm talking about. There are bigger issues at stake in those cases. coughcontrolfreakscough

At my old job, I was on the business side of things -- giving requirements -- and I took my knitting to all manner of informal meetings. I left it behind for anything where someone higher level than me would be in attendance. Still, I had my knitting at most of my meetings, and it saved my sanity during long conference calls. In my current job, I'm on the IT side -- frequently gathering requirements. Plus, the overall feel of this place is more formal. Since I don't think knitting at work is a right, it stays under my desk until lunch, unless I'm on a boring conference call (and am not officiating).

I absolutely knit at movies. My needles don't click-clack, and I take simple, mindless projects like washcloths and can knit in the dark (if it's simple and mindless). Someone that has a problem with that is just going to have to deal.

I don't always get it out of my bag, but I almost always have some knitting with me when we do go out to eat, in case the service is slow. This would be at mom & pop establishments and chain restaurants; we don't eat at fancy restaurants very often. When we do, or if it's a business function, the knitting stays at home or in the car.

Anyone visiting my home should feel free to bring their knitting. Once we've settled down in the living room to chat or watch a movie, my knitting is going to come out -- you may as well get some rows done! Going into someone else's home, I have to gauge the situation. It depends on the hostess and the formality of the event. In addition:

• Doctor's waiting rooms, in line at the Post Office, etc.: yes
• Job interview: no
• I don't go to school anymore, but knitting in class would depend on the instructor. If s/he said no, then it would be no (and I'd have to find something else to fidget with).
• Weddings and Funerals: Totally depends. I'd err on the side of civility and leave the knitting behind. However, please feel free to bring knitting to my funeral.
• Church: Well. I have knit during certain programs where the lights are out and there's no way I could disturb anyone. I don't attend regular church services, but the ones I used to attend would probably frown on the knitting, and as much as I'd be itching to get some stitches in, I probably wouldn't, considering the environment. I have, however, heard of ministers that welcome and encourage quiet, contemplative, charity knitting during services.

The bottom line is that I don't think it's my right to knit anywhere I want, whenever I want. I used to think that people were totally out of line who said things like "if you can't put your knitting down for an evening, you've got bigger problems than not knitting," but have come to realize that my problem was more likely with how the statements were phrased.